Popular EV Ride & Drive returns to Steamboat Springs on May 5

Public test drive slots to get behind the wheel of a variety of fully electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are going fast for online sign-ups for the educational Electric Vehicle Ride and Drive on May 5.

The annual free spring event co-hosted by the city of Steamboat Springs and three nonprofit organizations is set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 5, with vehicles available such as a Rivian truck and SUV, Telsa Model 3, Ford F150 Lighting, Ford Mach-E, Hyundai Kona small SUV, Chevy Bolt EUV and Subaru Solterra. People can sign up for test drives at Bit.ly/4d8bStz.

New this spring before the test drives, organizers will host a free EV 101 Workshop at 9 a.m. May 5 in the Howelsen Ice Arena upstairs meeting room. Attendees can explore the differences between fully electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, learn how EVs operate and save drivers money, how the vehicles reduce pollution, and get more information about the tax rebates and incentives available to help make EVs more affordable.

If the 10-minute test drive slots fill up online, attending the event could still be valuable with organizers and vehicle owners on hand to answer questions. In addition, some slots are expected to open up from no-shows the day of the event. The spring event will take place in the Howelsen Rodeo Grounds parking lot next to the row of electric vehicle chargers.

More information about electric vehicles, including links to four recorded seminars, can be found at Steamboatsprings.net/ev. Additional information is available at EVCo.colorado.gov and DriveElectricColorado.org.

Area electric vehicle owners or enthusiasts who would like to volunteer as an EV Ambassador through Yampa Valley Sustainability Council can contact Conner Byrnes at conner@yvsc.org. Ambassadors can show their vehicles, help inform residents about electric cars, bikes or other types of vehicles, or just be a supporter of the clean transportation technology.

The city and the sustainability council are partnering with Yampa Valley Electric Association and Clean Energy Economy for the region to host the May 5 event. The city adopted an Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan in 2021 to identify barriers and strategies to support electric vehicle adoption throughout the city and Yampa Valley.

According to PlugShare.com, Routt County is home to 43 public electric vehicle charging plugs, including 17 that are free. The fast charger at Kum & Go on Anglers Drive in Steamboat has been shown as the most highly utilized. One of the recently installed electric vehicle chargers in the Yampa Valley is at the Moffat County Courthouse on West Victory Way.